How to Make a Felt iPhone Case by Hand

This guide walks you through making a custom felt iPhone case by hand, no sewing machine required. You’ll measure your phone, cut the felt pieces, and stitch them together with a simple blanket stitch to create a snug, protective sleeve. It’s a beginner-friendly project that takes about an hour and uses basic craft supplies.

What You’ll Need

• Wool or wool-blend felt sheet (at least 3mm thick, size depends on your phone)
• Matching or contrasting embroidery thread
• Embroidery needle (sharp, with a large eye)
• Scissors (fabric scissors for cutting felt, small scissors for trimming thread)
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Pencil or fabric marker
• Pins or binder clips (to hold layers together)
• Optional: rotary cutter and cutting mat for straight edges

Step-by-Step

1. Measure your phone. Use a ruler to measure the height, width, and thickness of your phone (not the case). Add 2–3 mm to the width and height for a slight allowance, and add 1–2 mm to the thickness for the seam. Write down these final dimensions.
2. Cut the felt pieces. You’ll need two rectangles for the front and back, and one strip for the side gusset. The rectangles should be (height + 2×thickness) by (width + 2×thickness) to wrap around the phone. The side strip should be (height + 2×thickness) long and (2×thickness + 5 mm) wide. For most phones, this works out to roughly 15 cm × 8 cm for the rectangles and 15 cm × 1.5 cm for the strip.
3. Lay out the pieces. Place the two rectangles together, aligning the edges. Place the side strip along one long edge, centered. Pin or clip the three layers together at the edges.
4. Thread your needle. Cut a piece of embroidery thread about 60 cm long. Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end.
5. Start stitching. Begin at the bottom corner of one side. Insert the needle from the back to the front, about 3 mm from the edge. Pull the thread through. Then bring the needle over the edge and insert it from the back again, about 3 mm along. This creates a blanket stitch. Continue along the edge, keeping the stitches even (about 5 mm apart).
6. Stitch around the phone. Work your way around the entire perimeter, but leave the top edge open. When you reach the top, tie a knot and cut the thread. Repeat the same stitching on the other side, starting from the bottom and going up to the top.
7. Finish the top edge. To make a clean opening, you can either leave the top edge raw (felt doesn’t fray) or fold the top edges inward and stitch a simple running stitch to reinforce. If you want a flap, cut an extra piece of felt and attach it to the back with a button or snap.
8. Test the fit. Slide your phone into the case. It should fit snugly but not be too tight. If it’s too tight, you can trim a bit of the seam allowance. If it’s too loose, you can add a thin layer of felt inside.
9. Trim any loose threads. Use small scissors to snip off any stray threads.

Common Mistakes

• Using thin craft felt. Thin felt (1mm) won’t provide enough protection and will stretch out of shape. Use 3mm or thicker wool blend felt.
• Measuring without the thickness. Forgetting to add the phone’s thickness to the dimensions results in a case that’s too small. Always measure the thickness and add it to both width and height.
• Stitching too close to the edge. If you stitch less than 3mm from the edge, the felt can tear. Keep your stitches at least 3mm in.
• Uneven stitches. Inconsistent stitch length makes the case look messy. Try to keep a consistent rhythm, or mark guide dots with a pencil.
• Cutting the side strip too narrow. If the strip is only as wide as the phone’s thickness, the seam will eat into the phone space. Add 5mm extra to the strip width.

Tips

• Use a cutting mat and rotary cutter for perfectly straight edges, which makes stitching easier.
• Pre-punch holes along the stitching line with a leather awl or a thick needle. This is especially helpful if your felt is stiff.
• Choose wool blend felt over acrylic. It’s denser, more durable, and doesn’t pill.
• Add a lining of soft cotton or microfiber inside to protect the phone’s screen from scratches.
• Use a contrasting thread color to make the blanket stitch a decorative feature.
• Make a template from cardboard first to test the dimensions before cutting felt.

Troubleshooting

• The phone doesn’t fit. If the case is too small, you can carefully unpick the stitches and trim the felt edges. If it’s too big, add a thin felt pad to the inside bottom.
• The felt is stretching. This happens if you pull the thread too tight. Use a looser tension, or use a backstitch instead of a blanket stitch for a more rigid seam.
• The stitches are coming undone. Make sure you’re tying a secure knot at the start and end. You can also double-stitch the first and last few stitches.
• The edges are wavy. This is often caused by uneven cutting. Trim the edges with a ruler and rotary cutter, and re-pin before stitching.
• The thread keeps tangling. Use a shorter piece of thread (around 45 cm) and let the needle hang to untwist it periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine instead?

Yes, a sewing machine works well on felt. Use a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch, and a needle designed for heavy fabric. The steps are the same, but you’ll sew the side strip to the front and back pieces separately before assembling.

What type of felt is best?

Wool or wool-blend felt (at least 30% wool) is best. It’s thicker, more durable, and doesn’t stretch like acrylic felt. Look for 3mm thickness or more.

Can I wash the felt case?

Hand wash in cold water with mild soap, and air dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry, as felt can shrink or lose its shape.

How do I add a closure like a button or snap?

If you want a flap, cut a piece of felt that’s about 3 cm longer than the height of the case. Attach it to the back with a few stitches, then sew a button on the flap and make a loop or slit on the front. For a snap, follow the snap’s instructions to attach it to the flap and front.

Can I make a case for a phone with a thick case already on it?

Yes, just measure the phone with the case on. The felt case will be a bit larger, but it will still fit snugly.

How long does it take?

For a beginner, it takes about 1–2 hours. With practice, you can finish one in under an hour.

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